This tree produces whorls of needles at the end of each small branch, giving it an umbrella-like appearance. The needles are dark green and glossy and last for three to four years before dropping. The umbrella pine produces two- to four-inch seed cones that initially are green in the first year. During the second year, the cones turn brown and produce seeds as they mature. The bark of this tree is reddish-brown and exfoliates in shreds, giving it an interesting and attractive appearance.

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The University of Connecticut campus has many fine specimens of Umbrella Pine, but this is the largest and was planted by the class of 1935. Called “koya-maki” in Japan, the tree is one of Japan’s five sacred trees. Some believe that stroking its whorls will aid in conceiving healthy children. These richly textured conifers are rare and expensive in nurseries because they grow slowly and it takes a long time to grow a sapling large enough to sell. In the landscape, it can take 100 years for a sapling to reach mature size. It is also sometimes referred to as the Japanese umbrella pine, due to originating from Japan. This is not a species of pine tree though; those are known as Pinus.

USDA Zones 5-8